Dollar Tree proposal will head to Moraga Town Council

MORAGA -- Despite a wave of public opposition, the Planning Commission voted Monday night to approve an application for the Dollar Tree in the Rheem shopping center.

But the matter is already headed to the Town Council after Dollar Tree filed an appeal Tuesday objecting to the conditions of approval imposed by the commission.

Several residents urged the commission to deny the application, saying the store is inconsistent with Moraga's small-town character. But commissioners said while they understood and even agreed with some of residents' concerns, there was little legal justification for denial.

Other residents were supportive of Dollar Tree and said having the store in the Rheem center would be better than leaving the retail space vacant.

Among the conditions of approval commissioners placed on Dollar Tree is a requirement the store maintain a "showroom" rather than a more utilitarian "warehouse" look and feel.

The commission voted 4-1-1 to approve the application, with Chairman Jim Obsitnik voting no and Commissioner Roger Wykle abstaining. Commissioner Stacia Levenfeld was not present.